Connecting Points


DESCRIPTION

Connecting Points is a local church development and revitalization ministry designed to teach pastors to move their congregations into position to more efficiently and effectively fulfill the Great Commission.

By definition the key action process in the Connecting Points ministry plan is embodied in the word, "revitalization." In turn to revitalize is to restore new energy. It is to motivate to strive for the fulfillment of the reason for being. It is to renew enthusiasm and drive to become all that God has called the church to be in the process of the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the world.

In addition, the long range projection is to plant new life-giving churches out of healthy, revitalized churches so that the commandment of Christ to go into "all the world" truly can be accomplished.

Within this scriptural context Connecting Points utilizes a "7 Laws of 7" model incorporating the following dimensions of church development to be taught in the first seven months:

  1. Vision - the power of "ONE"
  2. Worship - culturally relevant and excellent
  3. Assimilation - structured for increase
  4. Outreach - finding, attracting, and catching
  5. Leadership - flowing in the "five-fold" gifting
  6. Seven Laws - without them the church dies
  7. Reproduction - healthy things grow and reproduce
 
Guiding this process are twelve basic principles designed to promote an environment of positive change, individual growth and the team approach to ministry.

These are as follows:

  1. No one works unless someone prays.
  2. Never do ministry alone as it is a team approach (It is no longer "I" but "We.")
  3. Be a pastor of four pulpits (Acts 1:8).
  4. Have effective time management.
  5. 10% of the overall budget is dedicated to reaching lost people.
  6. No one can have more than two responsibilities.
  7. No one has a permanent position.
  8. Everyone is tested for their spiritual gift mix.
  9. Use the 4x4x4 rule to train and equip participants.
  10. Water baptism, wedding, and baby dedication events are used as outreach tools.
  11. Five-fold gifted professional staff are evaluated and assigned to an area of responsibility.
  12. Seven teams are fully acclimated to the 7 Laws of 7, Spiritual Gifts, and the Five-fold gifting.

Recognizing the importance of leadership involvement there is an informed focus of leadership on both the horizontal and vertical planes.

The horizontal leadership structure emphasizes the function of the five-fold gifts of Ephesians 4:11-13.


The vertical leadership structure is comprised of seven teams and includes the following:

  1. Front door
  2. Follow up
  3. Shock and awe
  4. Music and tech
  5. Outreach and big events
  6. Youth and small groups
  7. Children and nursery

Summarily, these elements are incorporated into the ministry and outreach of the participating local churches through a nine month, step-by-step plan to mobilize the church family to come together in a connected ministry effort to do something great for God.


TESTIMONY

Bishop Mike Franklin, Senior Pastor
The Torch
"Though many elements of the Antioch Model assisted our church, the greatest impact was found in structure because we needed to move from a corporate church model to a mega-church model (currently 1500 attending). Perhaps the greatest challenge facing growing churches is the need to maintain infrastructure. The Antioch Model provided us with a refreshing, Biblical view of maintaining proper structure at every level. I found several answers to assist us as we prepare for the next step.

The Antioch Model will assist every church regardless of size, structure, ministry approach, giftedness, or socio-economic status. I recommend it so strongly that I would love to coach other pastors as they process the principles and put them into practice."